QUIET AND PATIENT. 255 



various other plants. In spring and summer it pecks the 

 buds of trees, and adds larva? and insects to its winter fare. 

 Although commonly a timid bird, it is not so shy as some, 

 and may without much difficulty be approached within 

 shooting distance. * When wounded by a shot,' says Yar- 

 rell, * it pecks at the hand and holds fast, although it has not 

 strength enough to inflict injury ; and when pursued on 

 being winged, it seldom screams in the apprehension of 

 being caught/ 



It has been observed that during the breeding season the 

 males of this species frequently engage in bloodless com- 

 bats, like those of the House Sparrow, while the females 

 conduct themselves much in the same manner as those of 

 the order just named. Also that ' the few notes which the 

 bird utters during the spring and summer can scarcely be 

 called a song, although some of them are full and mellow ; 

 but they mingle with good effect with those of the Yellow 

 Bunting and Sparrow ; although the concert thus produced 

 is not one of the most harmonious.' In confinement the 

 bird thrives well, being of a quiet and patient temper, and 

 possessed at the same time of considerable liveliness. It 

 has, moreover, the faculty of acquiring the notes of other 

 birds, and is not delicate as to its food. Wordsworth's 

 beautiful lines on the Green Linnet should not be omitted 

 here 



Beneath these fruit-tree boughs that shed 

 Their snow-white blossoms on my head, 

 With brightest sunshine round me spread, 



Of spring's unclouded weather ; 

 In this sequestered nook how sweet, 

 To sit upon my orchard seat, 

 And birds and flowers once more to greet 

 My last year's friends together. 



THE BULLFINCH AND THE GREEN-BIRD. The following 

 remarkable instance of attachment is related by Mr. Syme, 

 of Edinburgh, between a Bullfinch and a Green-bird (Prin- 

 gillos chloris), which he possessed : 



The two birds hung on opposite sides of the same window for a 

 long period; but their attachment commenced shortly after their 

 cages were placed together; we had, besides those two friends, 

 Borne Canaries, Mule-birds, Grey Linnets, and Goldfinches. This Green 



